Steam Birds: Survival - the Finest Aerial Battles in a Single Sitting

E have to admit, the original Steam Birds game left us wanting so much more. The gameplay was undoubtedly simple, but it was also a clever use of turn based mechanics. The AI moved in a way that was both predictable and yet utterly challenging, allowing us to expound the various ways to finish a stage without taking a single hit and bring home those elusive 4 star ratings. The sequel to this amazing game throws out that entire experience out of the window and places players in a massive map with a single goal: survival. And believe us when we say that this game just got a whole lot better.

To say that the sequel of Steam Birds is an all new game is a slightly misleading concept. Take it from us when we say that Survival plays more like alternative or secondary version of the original. The first game provided players with set challenges placed within the confines of progressive stages -the main goal is the defeat all the enemies then to proceed to the next stage. In Steam Birds survival, you play on a single map with randomized and continuous enemy spawns -and the main goal is to survive for as long as possible while earning credits (the credits are then used to buy new planes). When you dying is unavoidable in Survival and you just keep on coming back.

The best way to experience the glorious fun that is Steam Birds and Steam Birds Survival is first, to finish the original game, and second, enjoy the high replay value of the sequel. Believe us when we say that it is much easier to appreciate the gameplay and intricacies of Survival after getting past the first version of the game.

The controls and graphics have not changed much from the original version -you still use your mouse to drag around the direction and action that the planes will take and at the same time, try to predict your enemies' moves. Players will now be accompanied by a few friendly aircraft and will only be able to pilot a single plane (instead of several). Remember that friendly fire works for certain attacks so be sure to keep track of the location of friendly units -there is no penalty if you hit or destroy allies, but it certainly makes the game easier if you have other units on your side.

Going back to the visuals, most of the original game's aesthetics and art style remain -which is not a bad thing. While we do think that a few textures would do wonders for the game, it is already pleasing to the eyes. The user interface is also quite practically designed and unobtrusive, allowing players to focus more on the game.

Overall, playing Steam Birds 2: Survival is a great experience for fans of fighter pilot games. Most especially if you take our advice and start with the first game -it makes more sense too. The challenge level of Survival is definitely top notch, with sheer enemy volume far outweighing any previous threat that to be faced in the previous installment players must now learnt to modify and adapt new strategies in order to survive. The introduction of power up items also allows you to last longer in battle -enabling you to utilize abilities that are not common to the plane you have selected. That said, try to fly within the center area of the map, if you fly too close to the edges of the screen, automated (and invulnerable) turrets will shoot you down.